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Driving license in Turkey is a card that is generally required to drive in Turkish cities.
What types of international driving licenses can be accepted in Turkey? How can you get a Turkish driving license? You can find the answers to these and many more questions in this article about driving license in Turkey.
About Driving License in Turkey
A driver’s license, called “driving license” in Turkish, is an identity card that allows individuals to drive motorized or non-motorized land vehicles such as cars, buses and tractors on the highway.
The driver’s license is issued by the civil registry office, and the Turkish driver’s license can be used as an identity card in most cases.
There are approximately 17 different categories of Turkish driver’s licenses, depending on the type of vehicle you intend to use.
You will need a driver’s license to drive any vehicle, including motorcycles, in Turkey.
Accepted Driving Licenses in Turkey
It is possible to use a driver’s license you obtained from a foreign country outside Turkey under certain conditions that differ between foreign and Turkish citizens.
Foreigners
Foreign citizens can use their foreign driver’s license for a maximum of 6 months from the date of entry, provided that they present their driver’s license in Turkey.
After the expiration of the six-month period, a foreign citizen in Turkey must replace his foreign driver’s license with a Turkish driver’s license.
The Turks
Turkish citizens who have a driver’s license from another country can use this license for one year from the date of their arrival in Turkey.
If a Turk plans to drive for more than 6 months, he must have a foreign driver’s license with an official Turkish translation approved by the embassy or notary.
Foreign Driving Licenses in Turkey
Türkiye has signed an agreement with the following countries. So, if you have a driving license for one of the countries in the table below, you can directly exchange it for a Turkish driving license without having to undergo a test.
You will need to use an international driver’s license or obtain a Turkish driver’s license if your driver’s license is not from one of these nations.
The countries that have the right to transfer driver’s licenses in Turkey are as follows:
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Albania
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bahamas
- bahrain
- Bulgaria
- Belarus
- United Arab Emirates
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Denmark
- Armenia
- Indonesia
- Estonia
- Equator
- France
- Finland
- Morocco
- Ivory Coast
- Philippines
- South Korea
- Georgia
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Guyana
- Holland
- Croatia
- Switzerland
- England
- Iranian
- Italy
- Spain
- Israel
- Kazakhistan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Luxembourg
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Mexican
- Monaco
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Norway
- Niger
- Central African Republic
- Uzbekistan
- Peru
- Portugal
- Poland
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Seychelles
- San Marino
- Chile
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Thailand
- Tajikistan
- Uruguay
- Ukraine
- Venezuelan
- Vatican
- Greece
- Zimbabwe
Changing a Foreign Driving License in Turkey
To exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Turkish driver’s license, you must go to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (Population) and perform the following procedures.
- Go to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs website
- Click on the “Sürücü Belgesi” heading in the second tab, write your indormation and set your appointment.
- After scheduling your appointment, prepare the following documents:
- Original and color photocopy of foreign driver’s license
- The notary or consulate approved Turkish translation for the license
- Personal identity card or “Turkish residence or passport”
- Translation of your passport, certified by a notary or consulate
- A medical report proving that the driver does not have a health condition that prevents driving
- 1 biometric photo
- A document or written statement stating your blood type
- Criminal Record Certificate (It will be checked electronically by the system.)
After that, the tuition fees are as follows, depending on the type of license you are trying to obtain:
- Tuition Fee for “A, A1, A2, F” classes (Including Disabled “A” Certificates) is 825.70 TL ($28.91)
- Tuition Fee for “B” class (Including Disabled “B” Certificates) 2,489.90 TL ($87.19)
- Tuition Fee for “B1, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, G, M” classes is 4.154,70 TL ($145.48)
You can get a Turkish driving license after paying the fees and bringing all the necessary documents.
Turkish Driving License Categories
In Turkey, there are many different licenses to drive different types of vehicles, the most important of which are motorcycles, cars, trucks, trailers, small and large buses, tractors and construction equipment.
| License type | Vehicle type | Minimum age | Duration |
| M. | Motor bike | 16 | 10 years |
| A1 | Motorcycle up to 125 cc | 16 | 10 years |
| A2 | Motorcycle with a maximum power of 35 kW | 18 | 10 years |
| A. | Motorcycle over 35 kW | 20 | 10 years |
| B1 | 4 wheel motorcycle | 16 | 10 years |
| B. | Automobiles and trucks | 18 | 10 years |
| BE | Trucks, trailers, cars and minibuses | 18 | 10 years |
| C1 | Trailer truck with towing capacity up to 12,000 kg | 18 | 5 years |
| C1E | Trailer truck with towing capacity up to 7,500 kg | 18 | 5 years |
| C. | Truck | 21 | 5 years |
| CE | Trailer truck | 21 | 5 years |
| D1 | Minibus | 21 | 5 years |
| D1E | Small trailer | 21 | 5 years |
| D. | Minibus and bus | 24 | 5 years |
| DE | Minibus and bus with trailer | 24 | 5 years |
| F | Tractor | 18 | 10 years |
| G | Construction equipment | 18 | 10 years |
There are many driving schools in Turkey that prepare you for theoretical and practical exams. Many schools also offer multiple language options, the most important of which are English and Arabic.
Steps Required for Turkish Driving License
You can easily get a Turkish driving license after taking the theoretical and practical exam by following the steps below:
- If you are not familiar with Turkish, take a driving school in your language .
- Prepare for and pass the driving license theoretical exam .
- Prepare for and pass your practical driving test.
- Make an appointment by visiting the website of the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs .
You should go to your appointment with the following documents:
- 4 biometric photographs (for driver’s license)
- Training certificate proving that you have learned to drive
- Certificate of residence
- Criminal record certificate
- Health report
- Passport and residence card
After that, you will receive your driver’s license, which you can use to drive in all Turkish cities.
International Driving License in Turkey
International driver’s license is accepted in all cities in Turkey, because you must always show your driver’s license if asked at checkpoints.
The conditions that apply to regular driving licenses also apply to international driving licenses. You can drive with this license for a limited time and then you need to get a Turkish driver’s license.
Driving License Exam in Turkey
Taking the driving license exam is one of the conditions for obtaining a Turkish driver’s license. Click on the link in the title for more detailed information.
The Turkish driving license exam is divided into two parts: theoretical and practical.
E-Exam
The theory exam is conducted electronically. E-exams are exams in which the entire exam process is carried out electronically. Questions are answered via computer and using special software. Trainees who have completed their theoretical training for electronic driving license exams (e-exams) must make an appointment. E-exam results are announced immediately after the exam is completed.
The e-exam entry fee is 160 TL ($5.60) and can be paid via internet banking or ATM. Trainees have a total of four entries for the e-exam.
E-exam appointments can be changed at least three days before the exam date. There are a total of 50 questions in the exam and the duration is 45 minutes. Questions cover first aid, traffic, motorcycle and traffic etiquette. For trainees who successfully pass the e-exam, the driving test is scheduled approximately one month after the theoretical exam.
Electronic devices are prohibited during the exam and you must have your ID/passport/residence card with you. You must be present at the e-exam center at least 15 minutes before the exam. For success in the e-exam, it is necessary to answer at least 35 out of 50 questions correctly, which means at least 70 points. All trainees who have applied for a driving school and completed the necessary training can participate in the exams.
Driving Exam (Practical Exam)
Driving tests are held on Saturdays and Sundays by appointment as a practical test of theoretical knowledge. The exam time allocated to driver candidates is 30 minutes, and they must be present at the designated place 15 minutes before the exam.
Exams start at the same time in each session, and a maximum of 14 people can take the exam. These exams start at 8:10 in the morning and end at 17:10 in the evening.
An exam evaluation commission consisting of two people is appointed for each tool by the Ministry of National Education (MEB). During the exam, there is a commission member next to the driver candidate, and the other commissioner and a driving instructor are in the back seats.
Candidates must learn in advance the exam time and the vehicle with which they will take the exam.
